Brazilian Federal Government Regulates the National Biomethane Program

On September 5, 2025, the Brazilian Federal Government published Decree No. 12,614/2025, regulating Law No. 14,993/2024 (the “Fuels of the Future Law”) with respect to the National Program for Decarbonization of Natural Gas Producers and Importers and for the Promotion of Biomethane (the “Program”).

The Program aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the natural gas sector, following a model similar to that of RenovaBio. In the case of biomethane, the central mechanism will be the Biomethane Guarantee of Origin Certificate (CGOB), issued by biomethane producers or importers and acquired by natural gas producers or importers (except small agents).

Program Structure

• Emission reduction targets: is to be defined annually by the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE) by November 1, and individualized by ANP by December 1. For 2026, the target is already set at a 1% reduction in GHG emissions in the natural gas sector.
• Compliance with targets: may occur through direct consumption of biomethane, or through the acquisition and retirement of CGOBs.
• Issuance of CGOBs: will be dependent on certification by an accredited agent, who will verify the origin of the feedstock and the efficiency level of the facility. Certificates will be valid for 18 months.
• Agents obligated to report compliance must request the registrar to retire the CGOBs acquired, and the registrar will report this information to ANP.
• Non-compliance with the targets may result in fines of up to BRL 50 million, in addition to temporary, total, or partial suspension of facility operations.

Next Steps

The Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis – ANP) has up to 180 days to regulate the procedures required for to implementation of the Program. ANP has indicated that RenovaBio’s regulation will serve as a reference and that the CBIO Platform will be adapted to also record CGOBs, with the expectation of future convergence between the two systems.

In parallel, ANP is reviewing Resolutions No. 886/2022 (biomethane from landfills and wastewater treatment plants) and No. 906/2022 (biomethane from agrosilvopastoral and commercial organic products and residues), in order to align these regulatory frameworks with the new Program.

The Environmental, Climate Change and Sustainability Practice of Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown is available to provide further clarification on this matter.